Luang Prabang Culture Experience 5 Days 4 Nights

Luang Prabang, a Shangri-La of golden temples and pampered refinement, a former royal capital full of Laotian outstanding cultural features. If you wish to understand every quintessence of this charming city, let join this tour without hesitating as we will follow an unique route along Luang Prabang streets. You will discover Laos ritual ceremony include the Baci and the Alms giving, take a brief walk from the Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center to the Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center where you can gain some worthful skills such as silk dye, textile weaving or Hmong Batik drawing technique. The trip definitely will give you high value experiences in Luang Prabang.

DAY 1: LUANG PRABANG ARRIVAL

Welcome to Laos: after a long time on airplane, you will reach Laos – the Country of Elephants

In the afternoon

On arrival at the airport, you will be met and transferred to check in the hotel

After a soft rest, your city tour begins with a visit to the magnificent Wat Xiengthong with its roofs sweeping low to the ground, which represents classical Laotian architecture

Late afternoon, you will climb up to the top of Mount Phousi for an enjoyable exploration of the sacred, gilded stupa as well as a panoramic sunset view of the city and the Mekong River

Then you will join a private Baci ceremony at a local family. The Baci ceremony as a traditional ritual of the Lao people expresses the spirituality of the country and is a highly memorable experience and a deep insight into Lao culture for the participants

In the evening

Dinner will be served at local family house which gives you the best chance to have first experience of local life and culture

Meals included: __/__/Dinner

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 2: CULTURE EXPERIENCE AT TRADITIONAL ARTS & ETHNOLOGY CENTER

In the morning

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will first visit Royal Palace Museum, which hosts a range of interesting artifacts

From there, you will transfer to Traditional Arts & Ethnology Center, the collection of diverse Lao ethnic groups. You will stroll around to visit the center to understand more about the Lao diverse ethnic culture

After that, you will join the seminars of “Ethnic Diversity and Cultural Change in Laos”. This fascinating 60-minute presentation and question-and-answer session gives background on Laos’ ethnic communities, their history, and their cultural practices, including livelihoods and crafts. Guests have an opportunity to learn about lifestyles in ethnic villages, and are shown unique artefacts fromTAEC’s collection that are not accessible to the general public. The seminars are led by one of the two TAEC Founder/Directors, either Thongkhoun Soutthivilay, a Luang Prabang-native who worked at the Luang Prabang National Museum for 10 years, and who has attended trainings and conferences in the US, Thailand, Netherlands, Japan, and Brunei; or Tara Gujadhur, an American who has worked in Luang Prabang for over 10 years, with a background in anthropology and sustainable tourism development

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant

In the afternoon

After lunch, you will drive out of the city to visit BanXangkhong, the Thai Lue village, which is famous for its arts and crafts

Here, you will join the demonstration of the process of making the Saa paper, which is the special handmade paper of Lao people, made from mulberry tree. The demonstration will take about 01 hour, then you can try making some products from the paper such as lantern, handbag, or book. You can bring what you do back home as the souvenir

If time permits, you can visit some traditional textile looms, and the nearby Ban Xienglek

Next, you will be transferred back to your hotel late afternoon

Meals included: Breakfast/Lunch/__

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 3: OCK POP TOCK LIVING CRAFT CENTER

In the morning

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will transfer to Ock Pop Tok Living Craft Center, which is set on the grounds of stunning tropical garden on the Mekong, it’s the perfect place to learn more about this unique Lao art

First, you will join 2.5–hour hands-on workshop & learning experience, which is the great introduction to the world of Lao textiles where visitors get to try a bit of everything and dye their own scarf

Here is the workshop structure:

Meet the Silkworms – an explanation of the worms’ lives; some interesting facts regarding sericulture; Guests prepare mulberry leaves and feed the worms

After lunch time, you will have the option to join 01 of the following classes (not included in the price):

Natural Dye Class: You will be taught the secrets of natural dye preparation and try mixing them yourself, with many of the ingredients coming from the surrounding gardens. By the end of the class you will have 3 dyed silk skeins to take home as souvenirs

Weaving Class: One of the expert weavers will be your personal tutor to help you master the impressive art of weaving. As a novice you will select just two colors and create a placemat with a Lao motif. You can witness the Lao ladies weaving incredibly intricate patterns and truly appreciate their skill having tried yourself!

Hmong Batik Drawing Class: The Hmong Batik Class is an introduction to Hmong culture. Each student will create a wax resist, Hmong style design on hand loomed hemp. Due to time constraints it is not possible to complete the dye portion of the process. The natural hemp renders a beautiful finished piece

Bamboo weaving class: Join the master bamboo weaver and learn about the many uses of bamboo in Laos. Half day class students will weave a placemat or traditional fan

After that you will finish the day at Silk Road café overlooking the Mekong river, and admire the sun setting behind the mountains

Transfer back to your hotel late afternoon

Meals included:Breakfast/Lunch/__

Overnight in Luang Prabang

DAY 4: MORNING ALMS GIVING – MEKONG CRUISE − PAK OU CAVES

In the morning

An early start gives you the fantastic opportunity to participate in the daily morning rituals of saffron-clad monks collecting offerings of Alms (ubiquitous sticky rice) from the faithful residents. This tradition is very unique in Laos, being the only Buddhist nation still preserving the procession

From there, you will take a short visit to the morning local market near the Royal Palace. At the market, you can find anything from rice, to fresh vegetables, to steamed fish, frogs, and anything else that might be the day’s catch, just set up on the ground, this is what the locals do every day. This is really the chance for you to get a real flavor of the local culture

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will board a cruise upstream on the Mekong River, which gives us a panoramic view of the tranquil countryside as well as an interesting visit to the mysterious of Pak Ou Caves, two linked caves crammed with thousands of gold lacquered Buddha statues of various shapes and sizes left by pilgrims

Along the way, you will stop at the village of Ban Xanghai, where they make the local rice wine

Lunch will be served at a local restaurant

In the afternoon

After lunch time, you will take the cruise further onto Nam Ou river, and make a stop at Ban Vanglae, home to the lovely Nam Ou Riverside Resort, where you spend the rest of the day to relax by the inviting pool or walk around the nearby village

Meals included:Breakfast/Lunch/__

Overnight at Nam Ou Riverside Resort

DAY 5: LUANG PRABANG DEPARTURE

After having breakfast at the hotel, you will be free to stroll around the resort and the nearby village, or just relax at the inviting pool before taking the departure flight

Delicious meals with local food and tastes as listed (others are upon your request)

Air-conditioned transfer during the whole tour

Complimentary 1 bottle of water each day

Service charges and government tax

Flight ticket or bus ticket from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap

Excluded:

Meals, Beverages which are not specified in the program

Any unclarified flight tickets

Personal travel insurance

Any personal expenses

Any gratuities and tips to driver and tour guide ($3-5/person/day for both guide and driver)

Bank fee

Any surcharge for holiday

Price

Price is different in different period of time so please contact us for the best price for your travel time

Children Policy:

AGE RANGE

ROOM SHARING

BED REQUEST

CHARGE

Kid < 5 years old

2 adults

Existing bed

FOC

Kid < 5 years old

2 adults

Extra bed

50% tour price

5 =< kid =< 12 years old

2 adults

Existing bed

50% tour price

5 =< kid =< 12 years old

2 adults

Extra bed

75 % tour price

Kid =< 12 years old

1 adult

Existing bed

95% tour price

Kid >= 12 years old

Any

Existing bed

100% tour price

Policy for flight tickets will be issued by the Airlines

*S.R.S: Single Room Supplement. If you want to have your own room, you will pay extra amount for this.
*At the time of quotation, Travel Sense Asia reserves the right to adjust prices to take account of unusual movements in currency markets, hotel and transport costs as a result of inflationary price pressures in oil and other commodity markets.

Why 96% Clients Recommend TSA? Hear What They Say

I enjoyed my trip very much, love it to the max!
Thanks to Chloe from Travel sense Asia who helped to plan this trip for me. She constantly checked with us during the trip to ensure that we are happy with all arrangements. She responded fast to our request even during our trip & after we are back. We are very glad to have her as our agent & we will definitely recommend her to all my friends!… Read more

I contacted Travel Sense Asia to plan our recent trip to Hanoi due to the glowing Trip Advisor reviews. This was one of the best travelling decisions I have ever made. This trip was personalised for my husband and I and nothing was missed. We were met on time every time by our wonderful guides, delivered to our destinations, never rushed but still managed to have a jam packed trip. So many wonderful sights to see. The only regret is we only had 10 days in Vietnam total – not enough time but all we could manage. …. Read more

Our 6D5N tour with Hanoi was perfect.
We could not be happier with any of it. I found Travel Sense Asia Agency from Google due to good reviews, I was serve by a sweet and pretty travel consultant her name is CHLOE. Chloe was very professional, friendly and very responsive. She was polite and spoke English flawlessly. From the first touch point I knew that I can trust on her, it’s rare to see a travel consultant that really take care of us(she called and texted me to follow up with us how was the trip, is everything okay…)… Read more

Useful information for travel in Vietnam

What’s the difference between 3, 4, and 5 -star hotels?

We usually arrange centrally-located and Western-standard hotels. Five-star hotels are usually palatial with huge lobbies and comfortable rooms, their standards not quite matching the best of Paris or New York, but very close. Four-star hotels have quality facilities, but not as luxurious as five-star hotels. Three-star hotels meet the needs of most Westerners, but breakfasts have less choice. We also recommend some courtyard hotels or Vietnamese-style hotels with local features and architecture. These hotels have a good ranking, or positive feedback from our customers, and TripAdvisor. Usually, hotels in big cities, small cities, and rural areas are a bit different, even if they have the same star level. We try to use the best available hotel in each place.

What are train conditions like in Vietnam?

A soft sleeper is recommended for overnight and long-distance travel. Each soft sleeper compartment is enclosed, and contains four bunks, two on each side. The bunks are wider and more comfortable than hard sleepers, with decent bedding. Soft sleeper compartments may vary between trains. For route Hanoi – Laocai – Hanoi, it also has VIP cabin with 2 soft sleeper beds, please make quest if you prefer a private cabin. You may have both over-head storage and under-bed storage, or just under-bed storage. Fastest train is about 70kph. The railways is small here and it’s not as comfortable as train in developed countries.

Passport & Visa Requirements

You may be required for the visa to Vietnam. Please check the list of countries which need the visa to Vietnam in this links: Who need visa to Vietnam? Vietnam Visa is issued by Vietnam Embassy in your country or “Visa on arrival”. Travel Sense Asia will offer the free visa to Vietnam for you (except some difficult countries). You will need one clear page (per visa) in a full passport that is valid for at least 6 months beyond the date of your departure from Vietnam.

Currency Exchange

As currency exchange rates in Vietnam fluctuate, we suggest you refer to the following website for daily exchange rates: www.xe.com or www.vietcombank.com In 2015 the USD & VND has been around 22.500VND per USD. There are many ATM machines that accept both Visa and Master card, but these are limited to cities. We also recommend the use of cash and travelers checks in USD currency. Major credit cards are accepted in most shops, but they may charge a 2–4% transaction fee.

Tipping

It is customary to tip service providers in the travel industry in Asia, depending on the service. Tipping is expected — though not compulsory — and shows an expression of satisfaction with the people who have assisted you on your tour. Recommendations for tipping drivers (3 USD per person per day as a guideline) and local guides (8 USD per person per day as a guideline) would depend on the quality and length of the service. In additionally, you will sometimes use rolling boat, cyclo riding, porter which you should give a small tip to these local people.

Food

Eating is an important part of your Vietnam experience. Generally, breakfasts are included in the itinerary and offered by hotels. Travel Sense Asia recommend local Vietnam restaurants that are popular with local people for lunch. You can order dishes with the help of your guide. We usually leave dinner for your own choice — Western food can be found in most large cities. If you are vegetarian or you are looking for e.g. halal food, please feel free to inform your travel advisor, who can arrange a restaurant to fit your needs.

Vehicle

We use comfortable sedans or vans with air-conditioning. The comfort and safety of our customers is of utmost importance, so we ensure that all of the vehicles that we use are well maintained and always very clean. Our drivers take pride in their vehicles. Our car and van are always available space for a comfortable trip. Luggage – All clients are limited to two items of luggage each; a suitcase with a maximum weight of 20kg and one piece of hand luggage with a maximum weight of 7kg. It is essential that your luggage is lockable. Please note that authorities will only allow bottles onto the aircraft if they have been checked in as main baggage. Bottles in hand luggage may be confiscated.

What are train conditions like in Vietnam?
A soft sleeper is recommended for overnight and long-distance travel. Each soft sleeper compartment is enclosed and contains four bunks, two on each side. The bunks are wider and more comfortable than hard sleepers, with decent bedding. Soft sleeper compartments may vary between trains. For route Hanoi – Laocai – Hanoi, it also has VIP cabin with 2 soft sleeper beds, please make quest if you prefer a private cabin. You may have both over-head storage and under-bed storage, or just under-bed storage. Fastest train is about 70kph. The railways is small here and it’s not as comfortable as train in developed countries.

Electric

In Vietnam the standard voltage is 220 V. The standard frequency is 50 Hz. The power sockets that are used are of type A / C / G. Below you find pictures of these power sockets and corresponding plugs. And we provide more information about the voltage and frequency. Climate – You will find a complete packing list and a helpful climate chart in the ‘Suggested Packing List’, which is included in the pre-departure information link sent within your deposit documentation. Seasonal weather patterns can be quite unpredictable. Up to the minute information on worldwide weather can be found on www.weather.com.

If you’re looking to travel to Vietnam or any country in South-east Asia but don’t know where to start, I’d be happy to use my experiences to determine your perfect destinations. My motto in work is bringing my passion for travel combined with dedication, providing suitable packages and exceptional service to our clients. You will definitely have memorable times when traveling with us, Travel Sense Asia. Don’t delay, speak to us today!

Chloe – Travel Expert

I’m proud to be a travel consultant at fully-experienced & reputable Travel Sense Asia to introduce our countries to foreign visitors from all over the world and help clients to find the best vacation. I am very confident that you won’t be disappointed with our tour packages and services. Coming to us, the most fantastic itineraries will be advised to you. Please feel free to let me know your taste and expectation about tour, we would in touch with you soonest!